FireKracker 5k

Friday July 4th, 2026

Walk ⭐️ Jog ⭐️ Run ⭐️ Race

Kick off your holiday festivities with a 5k in City Park, Fort Collins

Start your Fourth of July with movement, community, and celebration at the FireKracker 5k in Fort Collins. Held in scenic City Park, this classic holiday event invites everyone to walk, jog, run, or race through one of Colorado’s most active and vibrant communities. Whether you’re chasing a PR, walking with friends, or starting your holiday with family, the FireKracker 5k is one of Northern Colorado’s signature summer running events. 

The morning features the FireKracker 5k run/walk, an Elite 5k showcasing top regional talent & offering a ~$7,000 cash prize purse, and a Kids 1-Mile for 12 & younger participants. From first-time walkers to competitive runners, the event is designed for all ages and abilities. Expect event day energy, music, community spirit, and a packed holiday atmosphere as thousands gather to kick off Independence Day together.

The FireKracker 5k is one of the Fort Collins Running Club’s signature community events, with proceeds used to support local youth running programs and initiatives that grow the sport and encourage healthy, active lifestyles across Northern Colorado.

Race Day - Saturday July 4th: 

6:15-7:15 am - Packet Pickup & Registration

7:27 am - National Anthem

7:30 am - FireKracker 5k Run/Walk Start

8:30 am - Elite 5k Start 

9:00 am - Kids 1-Mile Start

9:30 am - Awards Ceremony

Women's Division

Ellyn Atkinson Boulder, CO ⏱️ 17:37	Mackenzie Caldwell  Boulder, CO ⏱️ 15:56	Erika Fluehr  Atlantic Highlands, NJ ⏱️ 17:00	Everlyn Kemboi   Longmont, CO ⏱️ 15:40
AnnMarie Kirkpatrick Fort Collins, CO ⏱️ 17:47 * Masters	Abigail Levene Dublin, NH ⏱️ 17:41	Janelle Lincks Thornton, CO ⏱️ 18:35	Katelyn Mitchem Broomfield, CO ⏱️ 16:32
Regina Mpigachai Greeley, CO  ⏱️ 16:12	Kelly Neaumann Bellvue, CO ⏱️ 19:19	Sarah Skora Clarendon Hills, IL ⏱️ 19:26

Men's Division

Saleh Alrizaihn  Fort Collins, CO  ⏱️ 17:14	Ian Anderson  Louisville, CO ⏱️ 16:22	Carter Campbell  Windsor, CO ⏱️ 17:13	Kevin Dean  Denver, CO ⏱ 16:24
Jake DeVivo Fort Collins, CO ⏱ 15:50	Matthew Drake Loveland, CO ⏱️ 16:10	Alejandro Garcia  Pine Bluffs, WY ⏱️ 15:04	Josef Gertner Fort Morgan, CO ⏱️ 16:32
Kamryn Golub Johnson, KS ⏱ 16:08	Tim Hebert Fort Collins, CO ⏱️ 16:29 * Masters	Fergus Hodgson  Fort Collins, CO ⏱️ 17:46 * Masters	Nicholas Jamnick Denver, CO ⏱ 14:15
Leakey Karoney  Springfield, MA ⏱️ 15:04	Kyle Kastrup  Fort Collins, CO ⏱ 18:23	Zaphania Kipchirxhir  Colorado Springs, CO ⏱ 15:03	Hunter Kenney  Greeley, CO ⏱️ 16:53
Lawrence Kepkoech Colorado Springs, CO ⏱️ 14:20	Colten Klatt  Windsor, CO ⏱️ 17:54	Zhi Kuhl Fort Collins, CO ⏱️ 16:38	Connor Lewis Longmont, CO ⏱️ 18:16
Jonny Maestas Loveland, CO   ⏱️ 16:34	Riley McCarter  Draper, UT ⏱️ 17:25	Braden Nicholson  Loveland, CO ⏱️ 14:06	Jayan Nitzsche Fort Collins, CO ⏱️ 14:36
Tiidrek Nurme Colorado Springs, CO ⏱ 14:27	Oisin O'Gailin Laramie, WY ⏱️ 13:37	Benjamin Randall Loveland, CO ⏱️ 14:27	Isaac Rascon Greeley, CO   ⏱️ 14:51
Rigby Ruffer Fort Collins, CO ⏱ 18:10	Ryan Ruffer  Fort Collins, CO ⏱ 15:10	Dylan Stansbury Crawford, NE ⏱ 17:17	Josh Torres Greeley, CO ⏱ 15:25
Russell Wolfe  Memphis, TN ⏱️ 16:34

Non-Binary Division

Moony Warfield  Fort Collins, CO ⏱️ 16:46

FireKracker Awards Ceremony ~ 9:15 am

Overall Awards:

Top 3 - Male, Female, & Non-binary

Masters Awards (40+):

Top 3 Male & Female 

Age Group Awards: 

Top 3 Male & Female in each of the following age categories:

12 & under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

* No duplication of awards.

*Overall and age group winners will receive beautiful pottery awards made by local artisan and runner T.S. Berger.

*Awards not picked up on race day will be available for pickup at Runners Roost Fort Collins July 5th - 15th.

Elite Race Awards Ceremony ~ 9:30 am

Winners in the Elite Race win cash and custom race pottery awards.

Top 7 Male and Female, Top 3 Non-Binary, and Top 3 Masters Male and Female winners will split a ~$7000 cash prize purse!

See Elite 5k page for prize details 

FireKracker 5k Race Beneficiary:

The mission of the Fort Collins Running Club is to promote running in Fort Collins, Colorado, and its surrounding communities by:

Providing an enjoyable and positive running atmosphere.
Providing competitive and participatory events for runners of all abilities and interests.
Promoting the healthful benefits, both physical and mental, that running can provide.

Click here to see how you can get involved.

THE COURSE MAPS

Click on the images for larger interactive maps.

FIREKRACKER 5k

KIDS 1-Mile                                                                          ELITE 5k

The Elite 5k is a spectator friendly 4-lap criterium course around Sheldon Lake in City Park, Fort Collins. To run in the Elite 5k race entrants must meet qualifying standards. 

Elite Race Start: 8:30am

Elite 5k Race Standards:
To qualify, entrants must submit a link to race results showing a finish time meeting the standards listed below from a race run on a USATF certified course in the last 18 months. To be eligible for an Elite 5k comp entry submit qualifying race results (see times below) to: elitecoordinator@greeneventsco.com

Qualifying Time Standards:

Male: 19:00 
Female: 21:00
Non-Binary: 21:00

Comp Entry Time Standards:
Male: 15:10 
Female: 18:00 
Non-Binary: 18:00 

Cash Prize Purse: Sponsored by The Fort Collins Running Club

Road Closures:
All interior roads in City Park will be closed for the July 4th holiday.

FireKracker 5k Closures: 5:00 am - 10:00 am

Mountain Ave - East bound lane closed - Grandview to Jackson
Grandview - Full street closure Mountain to Laporte
Laporte Ave - East bound lane closed - Taft to Grandview
Taft Hill - North bound lane closed - Mulberry to Laporte
Jackson - Full street closure Mulberry to Mountain
Oak - Full street closure Scott to Bryan
Scott - Full street closure Mulberry to Oak
Mulberry - West bound lane closed - Shields to Taft (closed until 12:00 pm)

Parking: 

Please note: All streets within City Park are closed on July 4th!

Event Parking:

CSU Moby Arena

951 W Plum Street, Fort Collins, CO 80523

Plan an extra 20-30 minutes to park and walk into City Park. 

Bike Valet & Gear Check service near the Start/Finish line!

Bikes are highly recommended and encouraged! 

Bike Valet:
Ride your bike to the park for the best parking spot at the event! Check it in at the free bike valet secured area and your bike will be safe during the event.

Gear Check:
Wear your warm-ups, bring your flip flops, and some $ for the coffee and food trucks. There is bag/gear check at the bike valet parking area to check your gear before the race and keep it safe while you are running. Please put your items in a clear bag.

Thank You to GEARAGE OUTDOOR SPORTS for sponsoring this service!

You CAN NOT drive into City Park on July 4th & there is no parking available within City Park.

Do not drive around barricades or park on any of the following streets: Sheldon Drive, City Park Drive, Jackson Ave, Scott Ave, Oak Street, Mulberry Street. 

** Your car will be towed if parked in any of the above mentioned areas or in any signed No Parking areas. **

** You CAN NOT drive into the park to pick up your packet or drop someone off. All streets into the park are closed at 11 pm on July 3rd. 

Road Closures:
All interior roads in City Park

Mountain Ave - East bound lane closed - Grandview to Jackson
Grandview - Full street closure Mountain to LaporteLaporte Ave - East bound lane closed - Taft to Grandview
Taft Hill - North bound lane closed - Mulberry to Laporte
Mulberry - West bound lane closed - Shields to Taft
Jackson - Full street closure Mulberry to Mountain
Oak - Full street closure Scott to Bryan
Scott - Full street closure Mulberry to Oak

The FireKracker 5k needs volunteers to make the event happen!

Your time and talents would be greatly appreciated and will not only make the event a great experience for the participants but will contribute to the Fort Collins Running Club, a local non-profit with the mission to improve fitness through running.

RACE DAY VOLUNTEER PERKS

• Event VOLUNTEER t-shirt & hat

Start Time: 9:00 am

*Or immediately following conclusion of the Elite 5k if it extends past 9:00 am

Start & Finish Location: Intersection of City Park Drive & Sheldon Drive

Course: 1 lap around Sheldon Lake

Open to all kids ages 5-12 yrs. Registration required. Parent/guardian may run with their child.

Registration includes official race bib #, timing, and finisher ribbon. No awards.

T-shirts can be purchased with registration for $10. Youth sizes available.

Shirts not guaranteed for registrations after June 20th.

Start Time: 7:30 am

Start & Finish Location:
City Park Drive in between Sheldon Dr. and Jackson Ave.

Start your holiday with a community celebration in the park!

Walk ⭐️ Jog ⭐️ Run ⭐️ Race

This is an event for everyone! All ages and abilities welcome, you don't have to be a "runner". You will see 5 year olds to 90+ year olds, runners, joggers, racers, pacers, walkers, strollers, wheelchairs/pushrim, dogs, costumes, smiles, and high 5s! Be part of the community celebration.

All participants receive:

• Official race shirt/tank
  
  
• Chip timing
  
  
• Free race photos
  
  
• Fully supported course
  
  
• Food and beverage
  
  
• Sponsor/Vendor Expo
  
  
• Chance to win awards
  
  
• Post-race entertainment - Spectator friendly Elite 5k